The Couple Who Fooled The World

by Maisey Yates

Most women would kill to be on Ferro Calvaresi's arm. The enigmatic Italian is one of the richest men in the world and at the top of his business game. But Julia Anderson is not most women. She's as rich as Ferro and twice as hungry. The only way to seal a major deal is for these two rivals to play nicely...together. Yet neither expected the media to soak up their ruse so quickly or so publicly! When the deal is won, is the world's hottest new couple beginning to believe their own lie?

Genres: Harlequin, Romance, Harlequin Presents, Contemporary, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Category Romance

195 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit. In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book.

Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard.

She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.

Reviews

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread 4/23
This did have a lot of angst and much of it was the hero's past. Do appreciate the relationship that the MC and FC had good communication. And when she finally broke through is closed off heart it was sweet and endearing to watch him fall hard for the heroine. Always appreciate MY books.

What a fantastic read!!! Loved this story, and the love that develops between the H/h. Full of emotion, sadness, laughter and a very HEA!!! Started to read it and couldn't put it down till I finished it!!

REREAD
Updated 9/2018

Rating 3.5

Evolving reading taste. Premise of the Hero's past is a little much for me this time around. Heroine I liked and appreciated. She was a successful, funny, quirky and kind heroine.

[Alex is The Romance Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Maisey Yates but I have to be honest and state that at first I couldn’t get into the story and after a chapter or two put it aside….and it wasn’t until I read some of the reviews that “perked “my interest in getting back to it. And am I happy I did. How could I have ever thought that I was not into it????

This book took me by surprise. This is not the old theme of the poor virgin heroine seduced by the billionaire who controls her life….you know those who buy the heroine a new wardrobe, tell her what to do and say and just be over the moon that he wants her body!!!!! No, here we have a dark and tormented billionaire hero
and a successful…let’s talk a heroine billionaire as well, who’s both sexy, sassy and beyond smart and dresses so totally in BLACK…..
Both have baggage from their past. The hero has been deeply affected by what he experienced from the time he was a teenager and has since built up an empire and has made sure that he’s in total control of his life, something he never had when he worked as male escort.
I felt for Ferro, though I was pretty shocked how he behaved the first time he and the heroine made love….his total disregard to her feelings, his coldness and somewhat cruelty really got to me…..at this point, I began to think…..hey I hate this guy…..what a total jerk…….but as his story unfolded…….something changed in me…….In some way I understood the strength and determination in him that made him want to be in control of his life and how sad it made me feel seeing the walls he erected around himself in what he believed he needed to do to survive and overcome his painful and dark past.

“He closed the distance between them and pulled her to him, his lips hovering over hers. “I will kiss you now,” he said. “And this is not about restraint. Or seduction. Or control. This is for me. This is not for you, or for anyone else. It’s not for any other reason than that you are a woman, and I am a man, and I want you like I have never wanted anyone or anything in my entire life.”

One can feel his pain and anguish and how much he suffers trying to be a person of worth. I wanted to tell him so many things…

What I most loved about the heroine, Julia, was that despite the baggage she carries around from her childhood, has not broken her. Instead she’s become a strong and independent woman. She’s not a woman that will not sleep with a man unless she’s attracted and feels something for him.

She also understood how important it was to choose your lover. Part of her was relieved it was happening like this. Not in the heat of the moment, but with a pause for discussion. With a definitive answer from both sides. It made her feel powerful. Made her feel in control. She imagined Ferro felt the same, and shouldn’t it be that way? Shouldn’t both parties want it? .

And loved that she shows how assertive she is when she acts on her attraction for Ferro, the hero.

“Tell me first. Then I’ll decide.”
“I think my lover’s pleasure is important to me,” he said. “You are in luck there. I’ve no interest in taking without giving back.”
As had been done to him. She finished the sentence in her head.
“I will expect you to learn what I like. To learn to give it without asking. You will follow my instructions.”
“And if I don’t want to do something you ask of me?” she asked.
He stopped walking, his eyes meeting hers. “My lover’s pleasure is important to me,” he said. “Always remember that.” .

I felt her loneliness………..

Maybe they could help each other feel less alone. If only for a little bit.

And how she’s able to show her vulnerability and her feelings and how it affects Ferro.

He started to move and her fingers dug into his shoulders again. “No. Stay. Don’t leave me. Please.”
“Julia…”
“I need you.”
And because no one had ever needed him before, he stayed.

Great character development. Conflict. Tension. Sexual chemistry. The dialogue. Done so well. I really felt connected to the characters.

The story flows very well and I loved how Julia crept slowly into Ferro’s heart and when he begins realize it, is unable to accept that she may be the person who will heal his heart and soul.

As she took him deep into her mouth, he lost the capability to think. To breathe. No woman had done this for him before. It was the ultimate in giving pleasure, while taking none. And she did it as though she could feel what he was feeling. As though she was just as lost in it all.

Did I mention that the sex scenes are hot and intense……???

And baring his soul………..it pulled my heartstrings…

He moved to her, put his hand on her cheek. “You are so much better than beautiful.”
“What does that mean?” she asked, her voice shaking.
“You are beautiful, but there is something in you. Something that shines from inside. That is what makes me want to lose control with you. Because I want to touch the light. I want to feel warm. You will make me feel warm.”

This was such a passionate and beautiful part in the book…..the words have stayed in my head since I read them.

Loved the epilogue…….what a splash!!!!!

Unforgettable presentation Julia & Ferro!!!!!!

If you want a powerful and moving love story, this book will not disappoint you. You will go on a journey with two vulnerable and flawed characters as they discover that love has the power to heal.

[*CJ* · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Couple Who Fooled the World" is the story of Julia and Ferro.
Julia and Ferro are arch-nemesis and business rivals, who love interfering in each other's works. They provide stiff competition to one another by truthful and/or sneaky means, and are a pain in each other's butts.
When a contract they are both vying for gets a third enemy involved, Ferro comes up with a plan to join forces in order to dupe the latter. Initially reluctant, Julia is never the one to turn away from a challenge, and agrees to fake a relationship.
But soon moonlit kisses on the balcony and necessary trips to Alaska in a secluded room leads to passionate interludes between two mentally scarred and extremely cautious individuals. Can they actually open their hearts to one another..
Very well written, witty read with a rarity- the heroine was an equal to the hero. In HQNs, usually when we have an innocent heroine, she's either financially or emotionally or courage lacking- but our heroine was none of those. Gorgeous, self made billionaire who ran her phone company as a strong, independent woman in a world dominated by men, Julia is a black clad, no non-sense taking, witty, geeky and lovable heroine who has her own issues molested by her date at her prom,all thanks to her mom but does not let them pull her down. She does not give up and goes after what she wants.
Our hero on the other hand is a tall, brooding Italian who has seen his own tough times had to work as a male gigolo prostitute to get off the streets , and the past has him so jaded that he does not trust anyone, however is not unnecessarily mean or a douche.
Their story is passionate, the angst is real and the ending is cheesy but sweet.
Liked it,but I needed a stronger grovel at the end!
Safe
3.5/5

[Fiona Marsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Maisey Yates tortured heroes. I could finish this review right there and that should be enough.

I love the cute meet in this story. Ferro busts the security at Julia's new software launch in front of the tech world. Later we hear that she did a similar thing at his last product launch. You can tell they are already in love. Just like that boy who pulls the little girls pigtails to get her attention.

One of the things I really love is the humour in Maisey's books. The running LOTR's gags with One Phone to Rule them all and the other nerdy touches just kill me. I defy you to pick up all the fun stuff. Even the name of Julia's company.

Ferro. Oh he suffered. I just...OMG...how he suffered. He is just soooooo adorable in a prickly, angsty...needless to say he is my current book boyfriend.

So in fact I don't want any of you to read him. Because he is so totally mine (I may share him with Julia because she is so good for him.) But the rest of you just keep your grotty little hands off.

My Precious...

PS This review is of an ARC supplied by the author in exchange for an honest review. But I will be buying a copy anyway because I like real books for my keeper shelves.

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been thinking of giving this author a try but for some reason I haven't and that is my bad because this book was terrific. It had everything, sexual tension, geeky heroine, two successful yet flawed characters, in one word amazing. For a HP this book sure had depth.

The hero is successful but in many ways he is not. He still lives in shame of his past.He was rescued by a woman from the streets when he was 16 and became a prostitute. Sex gives him no pleasure and he has been celibate for 12 years.. He guards his privacy and does everything only for money. He doesn't do emotions, friends, nothing and the heroine is his biggest rival and he can read her like a book, because she is just so young and open.

The heroine is a geek at heart but for appearances sake hides all of that. She is 25 and filthy rich and she too keeps people at a distance, the reasons are several, her past, her money, so many things, she just doesn't want to be that vulnerable girl. The hero then proposes a deal which involves them faking to be involved. At first the hero doesn't feel anything with the heroine as has been the case with him.

But soon they become each other's firsts. I liked how the book was not all hearts and flowers, how could it be with both their pasts but I loved, just loved the heroine and wanted to hug the hero.

[Desere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Setting your heart in stone to make it to the top of your game and never looking back has been done by many successful people and it has even worked for them somewhere along the way they found everything they needed but also ended up lonely.

That alone is enough to make my heart ache, imagine you have all the money in the world that you ever wanted, success is on your side every step of the way, yet you spend your nights cold and alone, you might as well be dead.

One thing is always certain the reasons for building those walls is never the same, most of the time yes it is for money but other times there is some deeper, darker reasoning behind it and somewhere along the path to success you will find yourself broken into so many pieces and no amount of money in the world will put you back together.

In the new Maisey Yates read I was shown how two people each one successful and ready to fight for anything they wanted, meet their match in each other, however both have erected walls of stone and ice around their hearts and vowed to never be the people they once were, and nothing and no one can break through the barriers.

The character of Julia was a strong and feisty heroine, I loved her from the word go. I liked the idea that she is always dressed in her signature black which lets her scare of any competitor who might come her way, all but one I am -always-in-control-of-making-you-hot Ferro. The man makes her blood boil to the point of distraction and no not in a good way, well not until she takes the time to get real close and personal. But being a kick-ass fighter has gotten her where she wanted to be and no man is going to stop her winning streak. Reading about the strength she finds to get up and move on after a horrifying experience was awesome! The author showed that woman are much tougher than they look but also that not being yourself is good but only to a certain point, thereafter you need to let go.

The character of Ferro was another one of this author's dark hero's I have come to love. He is just as Julia a fighter that has fought his way to the top of his game, he has it all but most importantly he is always in control. I loved that he was addicted to control as it matched with his past perfectly, his past though was a pretty shocking one, one I certainly did not expect, at first I did not like the idea of it all very much as it just seemed so very dirty, but as the book moved along I found myself remembering that everyone has done something they are not proud of in order to survive.

The dialogue was really great, I got moments of conflict as these two character go head to head to reach for the top. There was also some pretty great lines of control and satisfaction that left me as reader with a almost eerie feeling of being torn between loving the hero and hating him.

The author also let both Ferro and Julia have more of less the same issue in life, both have erected these walls around their hearts but more or less for the same reason, and no here is where I am keeping the secret, you will have to read it to find out what that reason is. I will say that it made the book very interesting as it brought the characters down the the same level even whilst both still at the top of the success ladder.

Backdrop settings were nicely described by the author, she kept it exciting yet fun and also a little dark and cold, letting it blend in with the emotions of the characters. Ambition, lust, control, power were all apart of this read and left me as reader with a sense of wonder at just what people will do to make it to the top.

I highly recommend this read for readers that like sunshine-love filtering in through the deep dark recesses of life and how money will never bring you happiness.

5/5 star review
' She's dark he is even darker, together than will find the light"

[Widala · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.
Finally, a heroine who's not a peasant. In fact Julia is the world's richest woman, owns her own techie empire and, this is the best part, a nerdy geek. Yay!
The hero, Ferro, is a self made billionaire with a very tragic past.
But the book's not all gloomy, it has its funny moments. My favorite was when Ferro went meta by imagining a blackmail scenario:
"Your body in exchange for your company. I let Anfalas live without ever tasting interference from me. All I need in return is you. At my command. For my pleasure."
Well, the situation at that time wasn't funny per se, what with Ferro brooding over his attraction to Julia, but I can't help to laugh out loud at the statement and relief he didn't take the road so many Harlequin heroes had traveled before.
Other funny moments were usually when Julia showed her geekyness. Not enough of those scenes.
It's a very nice read, but the ending was a bit too cheesy for me, so I didn't give it a full 4 stars...

[Marilyn Upright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book. The female character was stronger then most with only a few problems to overcome. The male character had a little too much agnst but it was understandable. Both had bad things in their past but it was good to read about a take charge female character. Usually the male character had the business and the money but in this the female character did also. I liked that they started on a level playing field. And I liked the modern background of phone and computer techology.

[Velvet Bookmark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ne znam zašto, ali s ovom sam se knjigom mučila cijeli tjedan. Možda sam se jednostavno zasitila ljubića. No, kako god bilo svejedno sam knjigu ocjenila s četiri zvjezdice. Ima nekih dobrih dijelova tako da je nisam mogla, a i nemam srca loše ocjeniti osim ako knjiga nije stvarno krajnji užas.

[Ivonne. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Una historia nada convincente, no sentí emoción alguna, tampoco la química entre los protagonistas, faltó más desarrollo, por momentos repetitiva, para colmo final apresurado.

[Dalimar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encantó ésta novela. Si,lo sé adoro las novelas de Harlequin. Pero ésta me ha enganchado totalmente. Es fascinante como se desarrolla toda la historia entre Ferro y Julia.


Está lleno de spoilers,pero es que leo tantas historias de éstas que me confundo y me pasa que si no es que olvido marcarla como leídas, cuando voy a recomendarlas o comentarlas con alguien se me pierden entre tantas.


Ferro y Julia son aponentes en el negocio tecnológico de ambos. Se llevan super mal y cada uno intenta a su manera de sabotear el trabajo del otro,hasta que llega una fuerte competencia para ambos y a Ferro no se le ocurre otra cosa mejor que unir fuerzas entre ambos y como toda Harlequin,fingir una relación entre ambos. Pero obvio falsa,porque el no puede amar y ella ha tenido una experiencia malisima en su juventud,además son enemigos.

La cuestión es que Julia se cree que conoce a Ferro debido a una biografía sin autorizar de él, en la que cuentan como utilizó a las mujeres de dinero para abrirse paso y conquistar el mundo empresarial. Lo que Julia no sabe es que en realidad debido al hambre que pasó luego de quedar huérfano en Italia y vivir en la calle,se convirtió en gigolo y de ahí y a su capacidad con las computadoras fue que se hizo de dinero y de un nombre en la sociedad. Él sólo vive para crear fortuna y rodearse de lujos y riquezas,tratando de olvidar toda el hambre y el frío que pasó en su vida,no quiere nada con nadie,pues se siente sucio por su pasado. (Lleva 12 años de abstinencia sexual,por esto no le doy las 5 estrellas,por favor,por mas dolido y atormentado que esté no deja de ser hombre y no creo que aguanten un mes sin sexo,menos voy a creer que no lo tienen por esa cantidad de años.)

Julia es una adicta a la tecnología por lo que sus padres nomla entienden en especial su madre,que cuando era adolescente le pagó a un chico para que la llevara al baile de su escuela y éste quiso violarla,como no pudo la golpeó. Como nadie le cree,ella se va sola y sigue sus sueños y se hace de un nombre en la industria tecnológica hasta convertirse en una de las mujeres más adineradas. Esto me encantó, ambos son profesionales, ricos y poderosos.Muy distinto a la mayoría de las novelas de este género, en el que la pobre se enamora del rico y al verlo en ropa interior ya queda embarazada,me encantan estas novelas por que las leo en nada, pero es la verdad, casi todas son iguales. Por eso ame tanto a Julia y a Ferro. Ellos lucharon tanto para poder lograr su amor y poder borrar ese pasado que les perturba. Algunas veces quería golpearlo,por ser tan bruto con ella,pero luego cuando le abrio su corazón fue tan tierno. En fin lo amé. Adoré su declaración de amor y su propuesta matrimonial,no llegó de un día para el otro y todo su romance tomó su tiempo,como pienso que les debe ocurrir a las personas con un pasado tan terrible.

[KC · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This started out so slooooooow. I was bored by the endless business and tech talk in the first two chapters. The pace picked up when the focus finally shifted onto Ferro and Julia's psyches and histories. At 16, orphaned Ferro was jobless and homeless. A predatory female then took this opportunity to recruit him as a prostitute. Despite his tremendous financial success, Ferro couldn't wipe out his traumatic past which left him feeling emotionally numb (with the exceptions of shame and hate). Julia had her issues as well. She seemed to have it together, but didn't trust that men would want her for herself and not her money. When Julia was a teenager her mother had hired a date to take her to the prom, who ended up almost raping her.

Sounds like the basis for some high tension and conflict between our two leads, right? Unfortunately I didn't feel the angst because of the non-emotive writing style, although I liked the interestingly-enough plot and both lead characters. In the end, I wavered between thinking this was okay to kind of liking it, so I settled on 2.5 stars and rounded down.

[Deserie williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

May Contain Spoilers!!

hmmm so I liked this but didn't love it. H kept pushing h away through almost whole book. I understand why and I felt bad but it was just too much. I got tired of hearing it and the thoughts about his past. some of their interactions were cute and funny. The H did come through towards the end but I was over it by then.lol

safety: H was a prostitute when he was younger. He was used and manipulated. He has been celibate for 12years:)he has never had a lover he wanted. he has never loved. h was a virgin. She was attacked when she was younger but it didn't get as far as rape. H has always used condoms(yay)except one time with h.

[Kiki · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 star, has to be one of the slowest books I've ever read!

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Maisey Yates and her awesome writing. Ferro and Julia are great together and their banter keeps the reader entertain throughout the book. Sure there were some dark moments in the book that made me cringe, but overall the story kept me up past midnight. I like that Julia and Ferro were not not like any other characters that I have read. Ms. Yates' writing style is fresh and funny.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one. It was a different take on a love hate relationship.

When two people start out as competition and enemies in the business world, not only is love found but they release that money and landing huge deals isn't everything.

[Nancy Crocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Couple Who Fooled The World by Maisey Yates

Fierce rivals in business Julia Anderson and Ferro Calvaresi agree to work together on a project. When this project is over it is gloves off and back to business as usual. One other small thing, they will have to pretend to be lovers. Shouldn't be a problem for two sexy, wealthy adults, but both of them have a troubled pass.

Julia is the richest woman in the world at the young age of twenty five. A confirmed geek she has hired a team to dress her, do her hair and makeup and teach her even how to sit. But a traumatic past has made her Leary of men. I loved her character, she was quirky, spunky, brilliant, talented and beautiful and didn't even know it.

Ferro Calvaresi has woman vying for his attention, but they are just arm candy. Growing up on the streets of Rome, he has made himself into the richest man in the world, but at what cost? A past he can never seem to let go of. He might be rich and handsome but he a VERY lonely man.

It's just a matter of time before these two hook up and let me tell you, it was hot. But I also half to admit I had issues with how he treated Julia after their first time together. I get he was a tortured soul himself, still doesn't make me have to like it. Maisey does a really good job of tackling two issues "one with each of the main characters" that you don't always see in a Harlequin Romance.

4.5/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Xai Xai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Billionaires, one was a prostitute and the other a virgin. Rivals in business and both are geniuses in the tech world. Julia is geeky and Ferro was hot 🔥! They had hiccups in the the physical side of a relationship. Although Ferro was a real street-smart Master Julia was his first of many things, love and relationship. An amazing story between these two....a wonder ful and entertaining read. I recommend.

[Elizabeth Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better than the last romance. Dialogue actually made sense and there was humor. Now onto my book club book.

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to catch up on Maisey's back catalogue and discovered this little gem. It has everything that Maisey does so well and delivers a cracking, emotionally satisfying story. Ferro and Julia are a fabulous couple and I just loved them both.

Highly recommend.

[Reads by Starburst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maisey yates is one of my favorite harlequin authors and I love her novels because she does something different everytime and her story lines are generally different

The story was about Ferro and Julia who are bitter rivals and almost equal in wealth and success.They come together and pretend to have an affair to secure an important business deal and make a common rival loose the same.Both the protagonist have a difficult past and it continues to effect them.The way they let go of the past learn to accept the present with each and look forward to their future together forms the crux of the story.

The best thing of the novel was that the heroine was successful and matched the hero in terms of what she had achieved.The story line was great as usual and I was totally hooked to the book.The situations created were also good along with the pace.

The only thing i did not like was the hero's attitude towards the heroine in certain parts.I understood his past and how badly it affected him but it still could not excuse his treatment of Julia in certain scenes.

Go for this if a tortured hero healing through the heroine's love is your thing.If you like strong characters with a dark past and can withstand an imperfect hero and an independent heroine then you might like this.
http://gatewaytodifferentworld.blogsp...

[Ilona · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those books where I liked one character a lot more than the other. Julia was I felt a good solid character who I liked and wanted good things for but Ferro...

He was for about the first two thirds, I felt, too cold to actually be a good match for Julia. They seemed to lack any chemistry except fort right at the start when *minor spoiler* he hacked her presentation. Ferro seemed to lack any passion which made the idea of Julia being into him a little unbelievable.

Then at some point between a quarter and a third of the way from the end it was like he went to a therapist and we just didn't hear about it. And from that point I liked him a lot more but he still did do a lot of "These are my issues and therefore you cannot expect me to suck it up and deal" And I just wanted to yell at him to go find a good psychologist.

But even though I didn't really like Ferro I did like Julia, I liked the writing style and I'll definitely be buying more of her books. But I skimmed through the declarations of love and the proposal because i just didn't really care that much by that point. I just think this one was kinda ruined by Ferro being... not what I felt to be the right hero until more towards the end where he became okay-ish.

[bombay_sapphire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story (but must confess I didn't get the love/hate vibe all that much; sure Ferro and Julia were buisness competitors, but they seemed to warm up to each other very quickly, fake relationship or not, for two people who supposedly are enemies and hate each other).The hero having a very un-savoury and seedy past didn't bother me at all (a change from it being the woman who is the one who has the terrible past secrets as you read so many times in Harlequin romances). It's not the most pleasant thing in the world, but desperate times call for desperate measures in this case. The geek references made me laugh (I loved that Julia was a gaming chick and was a closet geek). This is really a story about two people who don't fit in; two "loners" who unite for a common goal but end up falling in love. And while their childhoods are poles apart, their terrible past experiences are also what help them understand, relate to and bring them closer to each other. Maisey Yates has perfected the art of the tortured hero and the equally courageous woman who inevitably falls in love with them.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Maisey book about a tortured Hero who past is dark very dark and Heroine who has own issues yet both equal in the tech world both billionaires both trying to out do each other which brought many giggles on my behalf. I love the way Maisey draws you to the characters, you actually feel for them, Ferro has a very dark past yet you can't help love him as for Julia just love her geeky side though trying to fit into this world, to be the norm. What is the norm? who has the right to fit everyone into a neat little box, this is how you act, how you should dress, what you should like or watch. Again Maisey has written another great read and love what happens to them and loved the ending,a few tears were shed, giggles were muffled in doctors office while I waited. Loved this book and can not wait for the next book His ring is not enough. Thanks again Maisey. :)

[Dalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Once again MY uses her trademark formula. A superb writing style. A fresh and original storyline. A dark hero with a shameful past and a heart on ice. A vulnerable geeky heroine hiding her insecurities behind an armor.
But MY motto seems to be : the darker the better. I noticed that her heroes seem more mean and more cruel and her heroines more aggressive with every new book.
I like angst, tension, emotionally intense read as the next reader, but - for me - too much darkness, too much heaviness is sometimes suffocating.
Now I ll go looking for a light fun read to redress the balance :)

[Louisa P · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Maisey Yates for me and it won't be my last. Having just come back to reading Presents I am finding some great new authors in the mix bringing a fresh feel to the market and this story was simply great. Hero was fantastic - unique and different and I adored Julia too. Highly recommended!

[Jenny]

I'm not gonna rate this book because I couldn't even finish it. Espionage stories plus a very common plot are not my not my cup of tea.

[Ada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresca, me gusto mucho, interesante

[JillyB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex is the Romance Fox’s review is awesome! You should go there first!

Wow! This was quite the story! Our hero’s back story was very disturbing. Our heroine has had some bad experiences in her past as well. Both of them are insanely rich tech giants who are fierce competitors. Ferro, the hero, approaches Julia about joining forces for a one time deal only. She agrees. However, this leads to a sexual/romantic liaison. Both have some healing to do(mainly the hero) and our hero waits til the end to come to the right conclusion. Our hero’s story is sad and heroine has to accept that the geeky, nerdy girl from high school is someone to applaud not denigrate. MY does a nice shout out to the geeks in her life and the world!

SPOILERS START NOW......

Hero- 34 year old tech giant...He is all about control and money...he buys whatever he can to show the world he has made it. He has built a wall upon wall of ice around his heart so he could survive. When he was 16, starving, cold, and alone in Italy an older woman introduced him to the world of prostitution(after taking his virginity) She groomed him to be an escort to wealthy, bored Italian woman(aah I wondered what the hp Italian wives were doing while their husbands had mistresses in the many hp books out there. I bet the Greek wives do the same .....) While providing services our hero invested money and learned corporate secrets from his clients...he went on to start his own tech company leaving his past behind physically, but emotionally it never went away! He is up front with our h about their business arrangement. Once the business part is done he will continue to go after her company to take her down. Along the way he starts to feel things for the h. He wants her and has never wanted anyone. Our h feels the same so they start a physical relationship where he controls the rules. He tells her about being an escort and that this is why he needs the control and warns her that there is no love allowed in this transaction.

Heroine- 25 year old virgin....she was attacked on prom night by her date...the date her mom paid for because her daughter was not a girly, cheerleader cotton candy confection. The prom date said some nasty things to her and the only reason she wasn’t raped is because the limo driver figured out something was not right and had her sit up front.This event changes our heroine...she retreats within herself...by 21 our nerdy, brainy heroine is a tech giant. She hires image consultants to make her over. She wears black all the time and has some kick as shoes and boots! She plays down any nerdiness and is untrue to her nature. She lives in California and you know she is itching to dress up and go to a Comic-Con, but that doesn’t fit her image. She joins forces with our hero...and starts to develop some “feelings” She enters into a sexual relationship with the hero (knowing his past) and agrees to his rules. She won’t fall in love...🙄

Together: While attending a wedding in Alaska, The h and H have sex..within minutes of losing her virginity...the H leaves the bed takes a long long shower and goes back to sleep on the couch. Our heroine is like 😲😡Later, he proceeds to berate her for being sulky and quiet...she’s like hello???They get back to California and the H can’t stay away so they resume their sexual relationship going to his place. They have some good moments, and oops, some unprotected sex. They discuss it the next day...go to their business meeting, where he botched it up and then they go their separate ways. He shows up in the middle of the night to basically have sex with her and take back the control he has lost since hooking up with her. Ultimately, the heroine professes her deep love...our hero doesn’t accept it, won’t accept it and leaves with his tormented soul back to his cold, mansion where he holes up in for a few days. Meanwhile, our heroine decides to embrace her geeky side. She is done hiding away her true self. The hero has released her from her own prison. Our hero seeks her out after several days of not eating or shaving...he declares his love and is hoping she can accept him. If so he will let his past go....There is an epilogue which is slightly corny, but fits with the geeky tone of the heroine.

Powerful for me....the hero!! My heart broke for the starving cold 16 year old who’s virginity should have been lost in the back of a Ford with a girl he thought he was in love with. Instead he was victimized. Too often society dismisses sexual assaults on men. What 16 year old boy doesn’t want copious amounts of sex with women? Or hey you’re a boy/man you could have fought back...made better decisions etc.....It’s no wonder our hero was so scarred.

He chose our heroine! It was the first woman he ever picked that he wanted! I like that her virginity was given to him...it could be said that his virginity was given to her as well...Our hero had been celibate for 12 years!!! Giving up his celibacy for the heroine was a new beginning and a cleansing of the past!

Phew! This was one of those books I couldn’t read fast enough. I wanted to see our hero and heroine’s HEA!

[Martina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julia Anderson i Ferro Calvaresi jedno drugome su velika konkurencija u svijetu tehnologije. Kao protivnika u svojoj branši, imali su i Scotta Hamlina, kojeg su oboje podjednako mrzili. Julia je bila vlasnica tvrtke Anfalas, a Ferro tvrtke Datasphere, dok je Hamlin imao Hamlin Tech. Iako su bili suparnici, Ferro je smislio plan kojim bi on i Julia mogli osmisliti proizvod koji bi predstavili vrlo poznatom Barrowsu koji traži novi navigacijski uređaj. Ferro je upao Juliji u prezentaciji novog proizvoda za zaštitu, hakirajući joj računalo. Nakon toga ju je pokupio limuzinom i odveo do svoje kuće. Ondje joj je predstavio svoj plan, odnosno zamku u kojoj bi njih dvoje na van bili prezentirani kao par i tako bi se ponašali do zaključenja ugovora s Barrowsom. Julia je pristala na to i dogovorili su se da nema ništa više osim obične predstave za javnost. No, poklekli su pred svojim osjećajima koji su ih obuzeli kad su se prvi put poljubili i malo pomalo su sve više upadali u svoju zamku. Oboje su nosili oklope u životu. Ferro je bio ozloglašeni ljubavnik, pričalo se da je iskorištavao bogate dame i da je preko kreveta došao do uspjeha. U jednom dijelu je to i bila istina, naplaćivao je svoje usluge, ali je on bio kao muška prostitutka. Bogata žena Claudia ga je kao šenaestogodišnjaka našla na ulici i ponudila mu krevet i krov tražeći od njega njegovo tijelo kao protuuslugu i tako se uvukao u taj krug. Bio je siroče i znao da se ne može osloniti ni na koga i zbog toga i kad se obogatio nije imao prijatelje. To je povjerio Juliji kad ga je napala da zna samo prodavati svoje tijelo. Ona ga je razumjela i predala mu je svoje djevičanstvo. Nju su zbog svoje zaluđenosti tehnologijom u djetinjstvu, roditelji htjeli preokrenuti na normalno. Majka je željela da je normalna, no Julia je više voljela igrati video igrice, obožavala je frikove i zapravo bila baš pravi štreber. Kad je poželjela ići na maturalni ples, majka je njoj iza leđa platila dječaku Michaelu da izvede Juliu. Julia to nije znala dok ju poslije večere, u iznajmljenoj limuzini Michael nije napastvovao i želio je silovati, dok je vozač limuzine nije spasio. Michael joj je dok ga je odbijala, rekao da bio plaćen za to da je izvede i da zato ima pravo i uzeti je. Od tog dana Julia se užasavala muškaraca i u svojoj 25-toj godini je bila djevica. Sve do Ferra. Na vjenčanju njezine radnice na Aljasci, Ferro i Julia su odolili strastima i spavali zajedno. Ali prije toga su se dogovorili da neće unositi osjećaje u to i da sve vrijedi do ugovora s Barrowsom. Kako nikad nije osjetio strast i nije bio željen kao osoba, Ferro je tražio od Julie da pristane na ispunjavanje njegovih željela u krevetu, što je i učinila. Kako su otkrivali sve više toga jedno o drugome, tako su shvaćali da ne mogu bez onoga drugoga, no nisu si to željeli priznati. Na prezentaciji navigacijskog sutava Barrowsu, Hamlin je napao Juliju da je prodala svoje tijelo, i kako nitko iz Barrowsa nije odgovorio na to, a nakon što je Julia predstavila njezin i Ferrov proizvod, Ferro je uzvratio Hamlinu i povukao Juliu te su napustili prostoriju. Rekao je upravi Barrowsa da im jave odluku. Ferro je ostavio Juliu, i nakon par mjeseci je bila sama kući. Kad je poslije došao do nje, vodili su ljubav i ona mu je priznala svoje osjećaje i da ga voli. Ferro ju je odbio, te je tjedan dana bolovao od ljubavi, ništa mu nije bilo važno pa je na kraju došao do Julijinog ureda da joj javi da se Barrows odlučio za Hamlina. Julia ga je poslije poljubila i tako joj je on priznao da i on nju voli i što osjeća za nju. Na kraju su sami osmislili liniju automobila za svoj navigacijski sustav.